In the last couple of decades, the topic of egg donation has transitioned from a taboo topic to an open and honest conversation between men and women alike. As egg donors and intended parents have shared their own experiences with egg donation, society as a whole has developed a deeper understanding of the process and the incredible opportunity it offers.
Why Become an Egg Donor?
With the growing awareness surrounding egg donation, some people and potential donors may wonder, “Why become an egg donor?” We’ve compiled thoughts from women who have donated eggs with Donor Nexus throughout the years. As it turns out, the primary reason to be an egg donor is truly to help another couple or individual pursue their dreams of building a family.
Reasons to Be an Egg Donor
Here is a list of reasons to be an egg donor, as shared by previous donors:
1. They Want to Make a Difference
Egg donors find a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment in being able to help others in such a meaningful way. As shared by an egg donor,
“I have this biological resource and I don’t want to use it. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be able to give that to someone else so that they can do something positive and so that it can change their life. I think that is so incredible.”
We’ve also been fortunate enough to see it come full circle by working with donors who were donor-conceived themselves!
As shared by Donor A,
“I chose to be an egg donor because I was actually born myself through egg donation and so I feel connected to it. I wanted to be a part of it as well. When my donor filled out the paperwork, she said the reason she became an egg donor was to make a miracle and that’s what I want to do, too, by helping a family start a family.”
2. They Empathize With Intended Parents
Many of our egg donors personally know someone who has benefited from egg donation, whether it was a same-sex couple, an individual pursuing a single-parent family, or couples who have struggled with infertility or been unable to conceive for a variety of reasons. Many of our donors have shared how this empathy has motivated them and expressed their hopes for the intended parents. As shared by a donor,
"Parents that embark on this experience — that go down the road of egg donation — they’re so ready. They are so prepared to love and care for these children…”
Many donors are mothers themselves which is their reason to donate eggs as they feel for women who share that dream but are unable to conceive with their own eggs. As explained by Donor B,
“Going through the experience was very rewarding to me and made me feel great that I could give someone the chance to have a child and to experience what I do every day with my children at home.”
Some donors reflect on their hopes of having children of their own someday, as shared by Donor C,
“I first wanted to be an egg donor because I’ve always wanted to be a mom and have a family, and I couldn't imagine not being able to do that. I wanted to help give back in any way that I could.”
3. They Have Friends, Family Members, or Co-Workers Who Are Egg Donors
At Donor Nexus, the majority of our egg donors become interested in donating their eggs after being referred to our program by someone they know.
With the increased societal awareness about egg donation, many donors now feel more comfortable sharing their experience with family and friends. By doing so, these donors often act as ambassadors for egg donation. Their coworkers, friends, and classmates will apply to become donors themselves already armed with a detailed knowledge of what is involved. It is important that we continue to share, support, and inform friends, family, and skeptics on the options for those struggling with fertility.
What About the Egg Donor Compensation?
While egg donors are compensated financially for their time and dedication to the process, the financial reimbursement alone is not enough motivation for a woman to pursue donating her eggs. Since being an egg donor is a huge responsibility and commitment, most women have a deeper spirit of generosity when choosing to become an egg donor rather than doing it merely for the pay.
As stated by Donor A,
“If [intended parents] are wondering why their donor is doing it, if you’re thinking money is the reason.. That is so not right. The amount of stress you have to go through, doing the injections, taking the medication, going through a whole surgery… It’s nothing compared to the happiness, the joy that you get to fill someone's heart, you get to create life. You get to give someone something they want so badly, but they can't do it, and you’re there to help them.”
Why Do You Want to Become an Egg Donor?
We love our egg donors and feel so honored to witness the immeasurable joy that donors make possible by allowing other couples or individuals to pursue their dreams of parenthood.
Regardless of their prior knowledge or reasons for becoming egg donors, it is important to educate, inform, and enlighten all donors on the gift they are giving and the gravity of this very serious commitment. From these conversations, egg donors are equipped with the knowledge and resources to educate and inform others. Why do you want to become an egg donor? We’d love to hear!